Twelfth Baptist Church

What Twelfth Baptist Church does

Twelfth Baptist Church is a historic African American Baptist congregation headquartered at 160 Warren Street in Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts, operating as a nonprofit religious organization under the American Baptist Churches USA denomination. Founded in 1840 (with lineage tracing to the First African Baptist Church of Boston dating 220 years), it serves a congregation of regular worship attendees, Roxbury community residents, youth ages 5-18, and seniors, through 40+ ministries spanning spiritual formation, social services, youth development, and digital literacy. Its flagship community programs include a Food Pantry (founded 1996) serving approximately 200 families weekly with over 40,000 total clients served to date, an After-School Program for ages 5-14, a Summer Enrichment Program for ages 5-13, and an Angel Tree partnership with Prison Fellowship for children of incarcerated individuals.

The church operates a hybrid in-person and digital platform anchored by its Wix-hosted website (tbcboston.org) and YouTube channel (@twelfthbaptistchurch6466), where Sunday worship services are live-streamed and archived on demand. The Technology Ministry delivers structured 6-8 week courses in AI Basics, Computer Basics, Zoom, Canva, and PowerPoint via Zoom, while the Audio/Visual Ministry (established 1977) manages multimedia production and live streaming distribution. Digital giving is enabled through Tithe.ly, PayPal, and JotForm, and a membership portal supports formal onboarding. The church also publishes a 121-page 185th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet documenting its civil-rights legacy, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s preaching at the church.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tithes and offerings, supplemented by one-time special donations (Building Fund, Youth Scholarships, Mission Trips, Holiday Drives, Community Outreach), transaction-based events (Fish Fry, Foster's Lobster Clambake, Flea Markets, the MBDDA Scholarship Golf Classic at $150 per golfer), and contract services including exterior painting, cleaning, general maintenance, and landscaping offered to the broader community. Food pantry operations are partially supported through in-kind donations from the Greater Boston Food Bank and Target. International mission work extends to Liberia (Charles B. Harris School) and Honduras. Financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Twelfth Baptist Church

Legal name

Twelfth Baptist Church

Website

https://tbcboston.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1839

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Twelfth Baptist Church is a 185-year-old African American Baptist congregation in Roxbury, Boston, operating 40+ ministries including worship services, a food pantry serving ~200 families weekly, youth programs, and digital literacy training, funded primarily by tithes, donations, and community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Community social services
• Youth development programs
• Food assistance programs
• Digital literacy training

Headquarters

HQ city

Roxbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: The church receives regular tithes and offerings from its congregation members during worship services. Members can give via Donate/Pay (JotForm), Tithe.ly, or PayPal.
2. Special Donations: The church solicits special donations for specific purposes including Building Fund, Youth Scholarships, Mission Trips, Holiday Drives, and Community Outreach Initiatives. These are one-time or periodic contributions directed to specific programs.
3. Contracting Services: The church offers contract-based services including Exterior Painting, Cleaning Services, General Maintenance, and Landscaping to the broader community for fees.
4. Food Pantry Donations and Food Bank Partnerships: The Food Pantry operates with donations from Target and the Greater Boston Food Bank, supplemented by fundraising and individual donations, generating modest program support revenue.
5. Special Events and Fundraisers: The church generates revenue through events such as the Fish Fry fundraiser, Foster's Lobster Clambake, Flea Markets, and the MBDDA Annual Scholarship Golf Classic (organized by an affiliated ministry).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Twelfth Baptist Church provides weekly Christian worship services (in-person and live-streamed via YouTube), faith formation programming (Sunday School, Bible study, music ministry), and an extensive community outreach portfolio that includes a Food Pantry serving approximately 200 families weekly, an After-School Program and Summer Enrichment Program for youth, a Technology Ministry offering free digital skills training in AI, computer basics, Zoom, Canva, and PowerPoint, and ancillary social services including re-entry support and Angel Tree ministry to families affected by incarceration. The organization functions as an anchor community institution in Roxbury, Boston, with affiliated housing and preschool services operated through the S.A.M.H. Corporation.

Product overview

Twelfth Baptist Church operates a unified digital platform centered on its main website (tbcboston.org) that integrates multiple ministry programs and services. The core offering is the church website itself, which serves as the primary digital interface for worship services (including live streaming via YouTube), community programs, and member engagement. Key sub-products and modules include the Technology Ministry Training Program offering AI Basics, Computer Basics, Zoom, Canva, and PowerPoint classes; the After-School Program and Summer Enrichment Program (under S.A.M.H.); the Food Pantry Ministry serving approximately 200 families weekly; and an Online Giving Platform accepting donations via multiple payment processors. Additional services include membership registration, event management, prayer request submission, and member resources. The church's digital ecosystem also includes a YouTube channel archive for on-demand sermon viewing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Christian worship services held in-person at the Roxbury sanctuary (160 Warren St) and streamed live via YouTube every Sunday at 10:45am, with archived recordings available on demand. Open to all attendees free of charge.
• Technology Ministry Training Program Free digital skills training program offering structured courses in AI Basics, Computer Basics, Zoom, Canva, and PowerPoint to congregation members and the broader Roxbury community. Courses run 6-8 weeks, weekly, via Zoom.
• After-School Program Academic support, spiritual and character development program serving youth ages 5-14 from high-need households in Roxbury. Provides socio-emotional and citizenship competencies through the S.A.M.H. Corporation.
• Summer Enrichment Program Faith-based summer program for children ages 5-13 offering Bible studies, educational activities, life skills, arts and crafts, sports, and community service opportunities. Operated through S.A.M.H. Corporation.
• Food Pantry Ministry Community food assistance program distributing groceries, vegetables, bread, and meat to approximately 200 families weekly. Operating since 1996 with supplies from the Greater Boston Food Bank and Target donations; distribution occurs Tuesdays 12:00pm-1:30pm.
• S.A.M.H. Housing Program Second African Meeting House Corporation providing housing organization services, a Christian preschool, the After-School Program, and the Summer Enrichment Program to the Roxbury community.
• Online Giving Platform Digital donation platform allowing members and supporters to make one-time and recurring contributions via Donate/Pay (JotForm), Tithe.ly, or PayPal, with designated funds for Building Fund, Youth Scholarships, Mission Trips, Holiday Drives, and Community Outreach Initiatives.
• Music Ministry Programs Music programming for church services and special events including the Praise Ensemble, Choir, Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, and Youth Chorus, led by Music Ministry Head Jonathan Singleton.
• Angel Tree Ministry Re-entry and family support ministry operated in partnership with Prison Fellowship that provides Christmas gifts and support to children and families affected by incarceration.
• Dorcas Partnership Ministry Senior outreach ministry providing phone check-ins, birthday cards, nursing home visits, and group activities to elderly congregation members and community seniors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Food Pantry serves ~200 families per week; over 40,000 total clients served since founding in 1996
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Greater Boston Food BankcoreOthersThe Greater Boston Food Bank supplies food donations to the Twelfth Baptist Church Food Pantry, which serves approximately 200 families weekly. Church volunteers collect donations on Tuesday mornings and distribute food on Tuesdays from 12:00pm-1:30pm. The partnership is essential to the food pantry's operations and impact.
• TargetsupportingOthersTarget donates food and other goods to the Twelfth Baptist Church Food Pantry on Mondays and Thursdays. These donations supplement the food supplied by the Greater Boston Food Bank and help expand the range of items available to pantry clients.
• American Baptist Churches USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwelfth Baptist Church is a member congregation of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), which represents 1.3 million members across over 5,000 congregations. The denomination shares a tradition dating to the early 17th century, emphasizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ, believers' baptism, local church autonomy, and Christian witness in society. TBC's partnership page references ABCUSA's theological identity and mission frameworks.
• S.A.M.H. Corporation (Second African Meeting House Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerS.A.M.H. is the affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates community activities outside the faith-based mission of Twelfth Baptist Church, including the After-School Program, Summer Enrichment Program, and housing initiatives. TBC hosts S.A.M.H. events and programs, including the S.A.M.H. Corporation at TBC event series.
• Prison Fellowship (Angel Tree)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Angel Tree Ministry at TBC is operated in partnership with Prison Fellowship, a national organization supporting children and families of incarcerated individuals. Prison Fellowship provides the church with information about eligible families, and TBC coordinates gift purchases and Christmas celebrations for enrolled children.
• Berklee College of MusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Music Ministry collaborates with local music schools, specifically mentioning Berklee College of Music, for musical collaborations and concerts. Berklee students and faculty participate in music programs at TBC, enriching the church's musical offerings.
• City of Boston / Local Law EnforcementsupportingOthersThe Missions Ministry conducts Friday evening Peace Walks in partnership with community leaders, law enforcement officers (police personnel), and local leaders. This community policing and outreach initiative aims to build trust and promote peace in the Roxbury neighborhood.
• ABCD (Action for Boston's Community Development)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerABCD provides a Paid Summer Internship program that TBC promotes to youth as part of its internship offerings. The internship provides hands-on job experience for students seeking to fulfill academic requirements or gain professional skills.
• My Brother's KeepersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBC offers the My Brother's Keeper Carpentry Program as part of its youth internship offerings. This program provides vocational skills training in carpentry for young people in the community.
• Boston Fire Teen AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBC includes the Boston Fire Teen Academy among its youth internship programs, connecting young people in the Roxbury community with fire department career exploration and training opportunities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Union Baptist Church (Boston): Historic African American Baptist congregation in Boston's South End/Roxbury area with comparable community outreach programs, Sunday services, and youth/food ministries serving overlapping demographics.
• Charles Street A.M.E. Church (Boston): Historic Black Methodist congregation in Boston's Beacon Hill/Roxbury orbit with similar community programming, food/clothing ministries, and historic civil rights significance.
• Abyssinian Baptist Church (New York): One of the oldest African American Baptist churches in the United States (founded 1808) in Harlem, NYC; comparable scale, community programming, civil rights heritage, and multi-faceted ministry model.
• People's Baptist Church (Boston): Established Black Baptist congregation in the Boston area with overlapping worship and community programming serving urban residents.
• Ebenezer Baptist Church (Atlanta): Historic African American Baptist church in Atlanta and the spiritual home of Martin Luther King Jr.; directly comparable in legacy, civil rights significance, and global heritage visibility.
• Blue Hill Avenue Baptist Church (Boston): Historic Black Baptist church in Dorchester/Mattapan serving similar Greater Boston Roxbury-area demographic with comparable Sunday services and community outreach focus.
• Morning Star Baptist Church (Mattapan/Boston): Long-established Black Baptist church in the Boston metro area with similar worship, community service, and youth programming serving Roxbury/Mattapan corridor residents.
• Shiloh Baptist Church (Washington, D.C.): Historic Black Baptist congregation in Washington, D.C. with comparable long-running community programs, food/clothing ministries, and significant historic preservation footprint.

Others

• Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO): Regional coalition of Greater Boston congregations including historic Black churches; not a direct competitor but a peer organization that convenes comparable faith-based community advocacy and social service initiatives.
• Boston TenPoint Coalition: Boston-area interfaith clergy-led violence prevention and re-entry organization; operates the same Roxbury-focused community safety, peace walks, and formerly incarcerated reentry work that TBC delivers through its Missions Ministry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/wix
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@twelfthbaptistchurch6466
• Facebookfacebook.com/TBCBOSTON
• Instagraminstagram.com/twelfthbaptistchurch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/twelfth-baptist-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Twelfth Baptist Church